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Although COVID-19 is very contagious, its mortality rate is relatively low compared to these ten viruses. From Marburg to dengue, these viruses are not just names but powerful rivals creating fear around the world.
Also read: Common cold virus linked to potentially fatal blood clotting disorder: Study
1. Marburg virus
The most dangerous virus is Marburg virus. It is named after a small and delightful town on the Lahn River – but it has nothing to do with the disease. Marburg virus is a hemorrhagic fever virus. Like Ebola, Marburg virus causes cramps and bleeding in the mucous membranes, skin and organs. Its mortality rate is 90 percent.
2. Ebola
There are five strains of the Ebola virus, each named after countries and regions in Africa: Zaire, Sudan, Tay Forest, Bundibugyo, and Reston. The Zaire Ebola virus is the most deadly, with a mortality rate of 90 percent. This is the strain that is currently spreading in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and beyond. Scientists say flying foxes likely brought Zaire Ebola virus to cities.
3. Hantavirus
Hantavirus describes several types of viruses. It is named after the river where American soldiers were first thought to be infected with hantavirus during the Korean War in 1950. Symptoms include lung disease, fever and kidney failure.
4. Bird Flu Virus
Various strains of bird flu regularly cause panic – which is probably justified since the mortality rate is 70 percent. But the risk of infection with the H5N1 strain – one of the most well-known – is actually quite low. You can become infected only through direct contact with poultry. This is said to explain why most cases appear in Asia, where people often live in close proximity to chickens.
5. Lassa Virus
A nurse in Nigeria was the first person to be infected with the Lassa virus. This virus is spread by rats. Cases may be endemic – meaning the virus occurs in a specific area, such as West Africa, and could reemerge there at any time. Scientists believe 15 percent of rodents in West Africa carry the virus.
6. Junin Virus
Junin virus is associated with Argentine hemorrhagic fever. People infected with the virus suffer from tissue swelling, sepsis and skin bleeding. The problem is that the symptoms may seem so common that the disease may go unnoticed or undiagnosed at first.
7. Crimea-Congo fever
Crimea-Congo fever virus is spread by ticks. The way it progresses is similar to Ebola and Marburg viruses. During the first days of infection, victims develop pin-sized bleeding in the face, mouth, and pharynx.
8. Machupo Virus
Machupo virus is associated with Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, also known as black typhus. The infection causes high fever, accompanied by heavy bleeding. It progresses in the same way as the Junin virus. This virus can be transmitted from human to human, and is often spread by rats.
9. Kyasanur Forest Virus (KFD)
Scientists discovered the Kyasanur Forest Virus (KFD) virus in 1955 in woodlands on the southwest coast of India. It is spread by ticks, but scientists say it is difficult to pinpoint any carrier. It is believed that rats, birds and pigs may be hosts. People infected with this virus suffer from high fever, severe headache and muscle pain which may lead to bleeding.
10.Dengue fever
The threat of dengue fever remains constant. If you’re planning a tropical vacation, be informed about dengue. Transmitted by mosquitoes, dengue affects 50 to 100 million people per year in popular vacation destinations such as Thailand and India. But it’s more of a problem for the 2 billion people who live in areas where dengue fever is at risk.
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